Ben Read

I am still at the University of Central Lancaster (UCLan), currently in my second year after achieving a 2:1 in my first year. I joined the athletics, rugby union and American football team and received a scholarship for my athletics.

I represent UCLan athletics at both cross country and indoor BUCs championships and both rugby and American football (UCLan Rams) at BUCS league. We won the BUCs 1A Yorkshire division with the Rams,.

During my degree I have had the chance to work with Preston North End and Preston Grasshoppers R.F.C in sport analysis, working on opponent and team analysis. Since joining the UCLan American football team, I also went on to join Newcastle Viking American football team and won the BAFA Division Two NFC 2 North Division and came runners up in the NFC 2 championship game.

This year racing at the Lancashire Cross Country Championships, I placed first in the under 20 team and third in the senior men’s race.

I plan to coach football in the USA this summer (2017) and next. I also plan to spend the winter of 2018 completeing my BASI Level 1 and 2 and then go back and study for my post graduate qualification in sport analysis. I then plan to work with a professional club/organisation in sport analysis.

What has been the highlight of your life so far after leaving school?

Receiving my athletics scholarship.

What is your favourite Teesdale memory?

School shows and all sport.

Advice to my younger self...

Do what you enjoy and ignore negative people and their opinions.

You can invite one person to a dinner party - who do you invite and why?